Alena Kostornaia

[SkateSkates]

after reading the above interviews, i went searching for Aliona's 2017 jr nats FS as i had never seen it before-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lm2JnSfkadA

the improvements in all areas of her skating in about 8 months to her first JGP is absolutely remarkable. i don't think i've ever seen progress and improvement that dramatic happen so quickly for a skater. she came out a whole new skater and literally snatched everyone's wigs.

That was a really bad performance, but yes her improvement was still remarkable.

Her SP at that event and her performances at some earlier events during this season were a better indicator of her talent, but it wasn’t until switching to Eteri that she was able to realize her full potential.

She was actually quite strong the season before (2015-16) and actually qualified for Jr Nats and KMS Cup Final, but then had an injury and was out for the rest of the season. She clearly wasn’t back to full strength in the 2016-17 season. I don’t remember the specific injury - I think her leg/knee? I’ve seen some pictures of her in a knee brace in the 2016/17 season.

 

[patee]

As it's my very first post here, I'd like to say hi! to everyone with a bunch of beautiful photos taken at IdF GP Series of Alyona. She's one of my absolute favourite figure skaters, she's a magical and unique mixture of artistry and athleticism. I can't wait to see her fulfil her bright future! (She's already made the very first and successful step towards it...)

http://photos.phantomkabocha.com/FigureSkating/IdF2019/AlenaKostornaia/index.html#thumbnail3

 

[elbkup]

^^^ Beautiful photographs !! You captured wonderful expression. Many many thanks for sharing...

 

[Batsuchan]

after reading the above interviews, i went searching for Aliona's 2017 jr nats FS as i had never seen it before-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lm2JnSfkadA

the improvements in all areas of her skating in about 8 months to her first JGP is absolutely remarkable. i don't think i've ever seen progress and improvement that dramatic happen so quickly for a skater. she came out a whole new skater and literally snatched everyone's wigs.

As SkateSkates said, that wasn't a good performance from her, and she was still recovering from her injury.

I think this performance from even earlier (2015) shows some of the traits of Aliona's skating that we recognize today--the big jumps, the posture, the flow across the ice:
https://youtu.be/w5QrvxdJ9rk

But yes, Team Tutberidze found a "diamond in the rough" and really polished it until it shone! :agree:

 

[Batsuchan]

As it's my very first post here, I'd like to say hi! to everyone with a bunch of beautiful photos taken at IdF GP Series of Alyona. She's one of my absolute favourite figure skaters, she's a magical and unique mixture of artistry and athleticism. I can't wait to see her fulfil her bright future! (She's already made the very first and successful step towards it...)

http://photos.phantomkabocha.com/FigureSkating/IdF2019/AlenaKostornaia/index.html#thumbnail3

Welcome patee!! Please post long and often! Thank you for the beautiful pictures!

I'm quite jealous that you got to see Aliona live...twice?! What's her skating like live?

 

[macy]

As SkateSkates said, that wasn't a good performance from her, and she was still recovering from her injury.

I think this performance from even earlier (2015) shows some of the traits of Aliona's skating that we recognize today--the big jumps, the posture, the flow across the ice:
https://youtu.be/w5QrvxdJ9rk

But yes, Team Tutberidze found a "diamond in the rough" and really polished it until it shone! :agree:

thanks for sharing! this skate is a much more accurate representation of her strong basic skills and potential. still, even outside of the missed jumps in her jr. nationals skate, it blows my mind how Eteri polished her in that short of a time frame. she knew exactly what she was doing

i also noticed someone commented on that video 4 years ago she has the potential to learn a 3A

 

[nussnacker]

As SkateSkates said, that wasn't a good performance from her, and she was still recovering from her injury.

I think this performance from even earlier (2015) shows some of the traits of Aliona's skating that we recognize today--the big jumps, the posture, the flow across the ice:
https://youtu.be/w5QrvxdJ9rk

But yes, Team Tutberidze found a "diamond in the rough" and really polished it until it shone! :agree:

I think it’s Eteri’s biggest talents as a coach. She’s able to see the potential, that others sometimes fail to see, and knows how to highlight the strongest traits as best as possible.

 

[patee]

Welcome patee!! Please post long and often! Thank you for the beautiful pictures!

I'm quite jealous that you got to see Aliona live...twice?! What's her skating like live?

Thank you for the warm welcome! I wish I'd taken those amazing photos, but it wasn't me unfortunately, so I don't deserve the credits... I just found them on the Internet and thought it would be a good way to enter this nice community. So whoever the photographer is, he / she deserves a big thank you! Of course, I really hope to see Aliona skate one day in person and to take photos of her myself too!

 

[Batsuchan]

Thank you for the warm welcome! I wish I'd taken those amazing photos, but it wasn't me unfortunately, so I don't deserve the credits... I just found them on the Internet and thought it would be a good way to enter this nice community. So whoever the photographer is, he / she deserves a big thank you! Of course, I really hope to see Aliona skate one day in person and to take photos of her myself too!

Oh, I see! Well, thank you for collecting all these lovely photos! :agree:

I also hope to see Aliona skate in person too! :yes: (I really, REALLY hope she makes it to 2020 Worlds!! )

Speaking of photos, here are a bunch of photos from her FS in Finlandia:
http://mariakateshova.com/alena-kostornaia-free-skate-2019-finlandia-trophy/

Somewhat silly question I've been pondering--what color eyes would you say Aliona has? :think:
Like here:
http://photos.phantomkabocha.com/FigureSkating/IdF2019/AlenaKostornaia/imgpages/image002.html

I thought they were kind of aquamarine (i.e., blue-green), but sometimes they look kind of silver? Her eyes really seem to change color depending on the light. :yes: All I know is that they're stunning. :luv17:

 

[Azikin]

Alyona's ' Star Trek ' : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p65Yq_3j6Aw (new link)

Thanks.. there are some very cute pre-Eteri photos.. :luv17:

 

[Vemvane]

Hello! I'm new to the forum, have only been following figure skating for a year or so, but I wanted to join this fanfest to say how much I love Aliona as a skater. She is one of my favourites, and I am so thrilled that she has a triple axel to give her a fighting chance of being competitive on a technical level with Alexandra and Anna. She has such poise and elegance, and the way she skates is marvellous to watch - even when she's competing, I'm not as anxious for her as I can be for others, because there is something so assured about her that I find myself trusting everything will be fine. Also, I love the contrast between her short and free programmes this year - I love the angel short, it is really something special, but the way she clearly enjoys her Twilight FP puts a huge smile on my face.

(And tangential to her skating, when I discovered she is horse-mad and is a rider, I had to laugh. We horse girls get everywhere, and I hope Aliona has many happy years with her horses.)

 

[macy]

Alyona's ' Star Trek ' : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p65Yq_3j6Aw (new link)

she was such a smol bean

 

[elbkup]

I, too, am a "horse" person and love the features that highlight Alena's riding skills.. (Yulia L, too..). My sister and I both ride but she is not a FS fan... she watched Alena's SP because I am a fan but also because Alena loves horses... first thing she said was "Alena is very beautiful"... I mentioned that Alena was depicting an angel who comes earth to guide departed souls to heaven... my sister lost her son at age 35 a few years ago.. she hugged me with tears when she learned what the program meant..

 

[Vemvane]

Oh, I am so sorry for your sister. How moving that Aliona's SP touched her so deeply.

I have figured that as a horse person, an excellent gift for Aliona could very well be a fancy browband, all done up with ribbons and side rosettes in the colours of one of her costumes, diamante optional. Practical and pretty all at the same time. The only drawback is not knowing whether a cob or full size would be more appropriate for the horses she rides!

 

[patee]

Oh, I see! Well, thank you for collecting all these lovely photos!

I also hope to see Aliona skate in person too! (I really, REALLY hope she makes it to 2020 Worlds!! )

Speaking of photos, here are a bunch of photos from her FS in Finlandia:
http://mariakateshova.com/alena-kostornaia-free-skate-2019-finlandia-trophy/

Somewhat silly question I've been pondering--what color eyes would you say Aliona has? :think:
Like here:
http://photos.phantomkabocha.com/FigureSkating/IdF2019/AlenaKostornaia/imgpages/image002.html

I thought they were kind of aquamarine (i.e., blue-green), but sometimes they look kind of silver? Her eyes really seem to change color depending on the light. :yes: All I know is that they're stunning. :luv17:

Wow! Superb photos indeed of her in Finlandia! :agree: I've just spotted that there were a lot of tapes on the upper part of her left thigh... I hope she is and will be healthy! As for her eyes, I'm not sure what colour they are, but certainly super special, sort of otherworldly... (in a beautiful way of course).

 

[SkateSkates]

Wow! Superb photos indeed of her in Finlandia! :agree: I've just spotted that there were a lot of tapes on the upper part of her left thigh... I hope she is and will be healthy! As for her eyes, I'm not sure what colour they are, but certainly super special, sort of otherworldly... (in a beautiful way of course).

At that competition she mentioned something happened to the silicone pads she was planning on wearing, so I think the tape was a solution to keep the silicones in place. Assuming she was wearing them as protection against falls on the 3A.

Also, Max Ambesi published another podcast where it looks like they speak about Aliona again. If anyone can translate that would be greatly appreciated!

 

[elbkup]

Oh, I am so sorry for your sister. How moving that Aliona's SP touched her so deeply.

I have figured that as a horse person, an excellent gift for Aliona could very well be a fancy brow
band, all done up with ribbons and side rosettes in the colours of one of her costumes, diamante optional. Practical and pretty all at the same time. The only drawback is not knowing whether a cob or full size would be more appropriate for the horses she rides!

Thank you. Janet was indeed deeply touched by Alena's SP.... tho gone for 5 years, her son is still part of our lives in memory, a lovely young man ..

The brow band would be a wonderful gift.. very unique in great colors (and a sparkle or two would not hurt! ) !! Cob or full.. hard to tell tho full might be warranted for use in years to come... Very OT: one of my sister's horses is a Mustang named Duende... since they are wild, mixed heritage horses, she was curious what his genetics would reveal on DNA tests.. turns out he is Arabian with a bit of Welsh Cob!! Sorry to digress..

 

[Batsuchan]

Hello! I'm new to the forum, have only been following figure skating for a year or so, but I wanted to join this fanfest to say how much I love Aliona as a skater. She is one of my favourites, and I am so thrilled that she has a triple axel to give her a fighting chance of being competitive on a technical level with Alexandra and Anna. She has such poise and elegance, and the way she skates is marvellous to watch - even when she's competing, I'm not as anxious for her as I can be for others, because there is something so assured about her that I find myself trusting everything will be fine. Also, I love the contrast between her short and free programmes this year - I love the angel short, it is really something special, but the way she clearly enjoys her Twilight FP puts a huge smile on my face.

(And tangential to her skating, when I discovered she is horse-mad and is a rider, I had to laugh. We horse girls get everywhere, and I hope Aliona has many happy years with her horses.)

Welcome Vemvane! Please post long and often! :agree:

 

[Batsuchan]

she was such a smol bean

Smol bean spiral then and now:
https://twitter.com/kostornaia824/status/1194521925067792385?s=03

I really want to see some videos of these baby Aliona performances, but I think I may die of cuteness overload!

At that competition she mentioned something happened to the silicone pads she was planning on wearing, so I think the tape was a solution to keep the silicones in place. Assuming she was wearing them as protection against falls on the 3A.

Also, Max Ambesi published another podcast where it looks like they speak about Aliona again. If anyone can translate that would be greatly appreciated!

I thought maybe the tapes looked like they were covering up a nasty bruise from a fall..?
She always jumps with such speed and height that her falls must be particularly painful... :sad21: I would love to see a quad from Aliona someday, but most importantly I want her to remain healthy and injury-free! :yes:

As for the podcast with the Italian commentators, here is the link (it's #4 from 13 Nov):
https://www.spreaker.com/show/kiss-cry-reloaded

Are there any kind and generous Italian-speaking fans who would like to translate the highlights for us? Please? (madmax? sweetice?)
We would greatly appreciate your help!

 

[Batsuchan]

Aliona, looking at her FS protocols at IDF: "Seriously??! Again?? Now on the flip?"
https://www.instagram.com/p/B40cetxIfU_/


She means the ! (unclear edge mark), in case that wasn't clear.